Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death. Babies who survive can face serious lifelong health problems. Prematurity takes an enormous emotional toll on families and costs society billions of dollars.

According to recent polls, most people don’t know that prematurity is a problem, or that it’s getting worse; over the last 20 years the incidence of premature birth has increased 29 percent.

On November 19th the March of Dimes is assembling obstetricians, neonatalogists, public health officials and other maternal and child health leaders in addressing the crisis of premature birth in Kansas. The Prematurity Summit will take place at the Topeka Capitol Plaza Hotel with a breakfast beginning at 8:15 a.m. and the program beginning at 9 a.m.

Speakers include Jane Massey –COO and Executive Vice President of the National Office of the March of Dimes, Elizabeth Wickstrom, MD-Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist, Shawnee Mission Medical Center and Kim Stolle-Topeka Ambassador Mother.

The March of Dimes is also offering online participation in Prematurity Awareness activities through a new web site called clicktosavebabies.org.  The site features a story-exchange and an opportunity to support research through a petition and a donation.

The Summit and web site are part of the March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign, a five-year, $75 million effort to address the growing problem of premature birth. The causes of nearly half of all premature births are unknown, leaving all families at risk.

Also, during November, Motherhood Maternity stores, a national retail supporter of Prematurity Awareness Month, is giving customers who make a purchase a free gift bag with March of Dimes healthy pregnancy information. All Motherhood Maternity shoppers are invited to support the Prematurity Campaign by making a donation either in the store or on clicktosavebabies.org. To find the store nearest you visit www.motherhood.com. 

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a five-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at www.marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at www.nacersano.org.